ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced a 45 percent reduction in the per-unit price of electricity for charging stations to promote electric vehicles.
A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the policy of electric vehicles, during which the Prime Minister was briefed by officials of the Power Division and the Federal Minister for Energy.
Speaking at the meeting, the Prime Minister said that it is necessary to encourage the use of electric vehicles for environmental improvement. For this purpose, the electricity rate for charging stations is being reduced from Rs 70 per unit to Rs 40.
He stated that such incentives are being given worldwide to promote electric vehicles.
The Minister for Power Division, Awais Leghari, informed the meeting that the tariff of Rs 39.70 for charging stations will be implemented after the approval of NEPRA.
He added that the procedure for establishing charging stations has been simplified. Now, NOCs will be available within 15 days, enabling youth to start their businesses with small investments.
A meeting on the eradication of human trafficking was also held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. It was informed that several human traffickers have been arrested in incidents of human trafficking from June 2023 to December 2024.
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Several facilitating government officials have been dismissed, while many others are facing disciplinary action. The meeting was informed that punitive measures are being taken against government officials involved in human trafficking, and assets worth more than Rs 500 million belonging to smugglers have been seized.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister directed the immediate filling of manpower shortages in the FIA. He emphasized that all institutions should play an active role in the eradication of human trafficking and that strict legal action should be taken against those involved in this heinous business.
The Prime Minister further directed that a standard screening system for those traveling abroad be established at airports. He also called for an awareness campaign about illegal foreign travel and human trafficking and instructed officials to contact Interpol for the extradition of the most wanted human traffickers.
